HI - WE WILL REFER TO ME AS THE VILLAGE IDIOT IN THIS POST, MMM KAY? JUST PLAY ALONG!

THE VILLAGE IDIOT HAS THIS SITTING IN HIS ROOM AND WANTS TO RACK IT UP.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RMT152/

THE VILLAGE IDIOT JUST BOUGHT ONE OF THESE AND IS WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE
JV1010

THE VILLAGE IDIOT HIGHLY PREFERS RACKED INSTRUMENTS

THE VILLAGE IDIOT IS ALSO INTERESTED IN GETTING ONE MORE "CLASSIC" SYNTHESIZER, ALTHOUGH HE HAS NO REGARD FOR HOW THESE ANCIENT CREATURES INTERFACE IN MODERN DAY SOCIETY. HE HAS HIS EYES ON THE FOLLOWING PREHISTORIC FOSSILS: (BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, THE VILLAGE IDIOT IS QUITE WISE AND KNOWS YOU WANT TO SAY "BUY WHAT SOUNDS GOOD AND WHAT YOU LIKE" BUT THE VILLAGE IDIOT SAYS NO. VILLAGE IDIOT WANTS LOTS OF PRESETS, NOT TOO DIFFICULT PROGRAMMING, AND MOST CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO ATMOSPHERIC AND PAD-LIKE ELEMENTS...MMM KAY?)

ALESIS QSR
MATRIX 1000
ROLAND D-110

THE VILLAGE IDIOT IS AWARE THE MX 1000 IS THE BEST OF THE THREE, BUT WHICH IS THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK? AND IN WHAT ORDER? AND WHAT OPTIONS DOES EACH SYNTH PRESENT TO DIFFERENTIATE IT? HOW DOES IT INTERFACE?

ON TO INTERFACING....

THE VILLAGE IDIOT IS LOOKING AT AN INTERFACE LIKE THIS (FIREWIRE), BUT ISN'T QUITE SURE IF IT WILL BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL OF HIS SYNTHS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE VILLAGE IDIOT ONLY WANTS A MAXIMUM OF TWO PREHESTORIC SYNTHS, WITH THE REST BEING OVER-HYPED, OVER-PRICED, SHITTY SOUNDING NEW SYNTHESIZERS LIKE THE VIRUS ACCESS HIV+



Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
Presonus Firestudio Project
MOTU Ultralite-mk3 (WISHES IT WERE A FULL RACK)
MOTU 8Pre 16x12

AS YOU CAN TELL, THESE ARE ALL PRICED IN THE SAME RANGE, HOWEVER I CAN ACQUIRE THE FOCUSRITE SAFFIRE PRO BRAND NEW FOR $375 FROM A GHETTO GEICO DEALER ON THE CAVE CORNER, SO PLEASE TAKE BANG FOR THE BUCK INTO ACCOUNT, BUT INTERFACING EVERYTHING IS MOST IMPORTANT. VILLAGE IDIOT WILL BE HAPPY WITH A TOTAL OF 4 STEREO SYNTHS PLUGGED IN THAT ARE ULTIMATELY ROUTED TO HIS 386 DRIVEN DISK OPERATING SYSTEM.

FINALLY, THE VILLAGE IDIOT DOES NOT KNOW IF TS/TRS CAN BE USED INTERCHANGEABLY OR IF THERE IS ANY INCOMPATIBILITY WITH THE CHORDS. THE VILLAGE IDIOT NEEDS YOU TO HELP HIM BECAUSE HE CANNOT AFFORD A PROFESSIONAL GRAYBACK DUE TO GEICO'S RECENT JOB CUTS.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE, I WILL CREATE A NICE FIRE FOR YOU AND SLAY MANY SABRETOOTHES.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2331454307_5b6c072914.jpg?v=0 FROM MY LATEST GIG

THE VILLAGE IDIOT makes annoying caps lock threads.

Of these three synths, the Matrix is the odd-man-out here:

ALESIS QSR
MATRIX 1000
ROLAND D-110

The Matrix is an analog subtractive synth, whereas the other two are sample-based synths (romplers). I have an Alesis QS8.2 (3rd generation keyboard version of the QSR) and the sounds are not much different than the QSR - actually they share many of the same presets. I use it primarily as a piano because I like the feel of the weighted keys (obviously not a concern for you), but I also like some of its sounds, particularly a couple of pianos and electric pianos. Aside from those sounds and a few other random patches, it's just OK.

I had a D-10 (keyboard version of the D-110) about 20 years ago and used it for live gigs for many years. It was fine back then, but if someone gave one to me today, I'd place it in the street in front of my house and watch cars drive over it.

So, of those three, if you want a subtractive synth, get the Matrix 1000 (I've never used one btw). If you want bread-n-butter sounds (e.g., pianos, strings, brass), get the QSR. If you want something that sounds like someone took a lo-fi crap containing various bread-n-butter sounds, get the D-110.

As far as the soundcards go, $375 is a killer deal for the Focusrite, so I'd say jump on that. Otherwise, I'd recommend either one of the MOTUs. I've had bad luck with PreSonus and wouldn't recommend that brand. All of the units have either 4 pairs of 1/4-inch inputs or Neutrik inputs (accept 1/4-inch or XLR), so you should be fine there. If you can spend a little more and want a full rack version of the UltraLite mk3, then check out the 828mk3 ($749).

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Thank you so much Cryo - My next question is this, does the Focusrite support the Matrix 1000? (converter) I'm 99.9% certain it does, but i'm anal about things like this and I just want to make sure.

Also, the TS and TSR thing. They are two different cables which I'm sure you know. One has one ring, the other has two. Are they interchangeable? Are there problems when you try to run a balanced TRS through a TS instrument? I ask because I'm going to place a bulk order on chords, and I obviously don't want to order the wrong thing! I just went ahead and bid on another Matrix 1000 - I've heard great things about them. Do you have any thoughts on the jv1010? It's actually not too old.

Here are the specs:

Specifications

* Polyphony - 64 Voices
* Oscillators - Digital, LAS, 8MB Samples, 255 sounds
* Effects - Eight Reverbs, One Chorus, 40 EFX Multi-Effects
* Memory - 895 preset, 128 user Patches, 32 performances, 18 rhythm kits
* Keyboard - None
* Control - MIDI IN/OUT/THRU (16-parts); Serial Computer Host port
* Date Produced - 1999
* Est. Value - $550

The estimated value is pretty far off. I think I can snag one of these for $80. The difference between the jv1080 and the jv2080 is the amount of card expansions the unit can hold, and the jv1010 has "slightly" reduced sound quality which I might honestly want. I've already got plenty of pristine sounds from my soft synths.

Finally, going back to what I am aiming for.....I cannot stress enough how big I am on atmospherics, pads, and what I call non-concsious sounds. These sounds separate the big boys from the kids in my personal opinion. I want an instrument that has amazing high pass filters and can create rich, warm pads and atmospherics. I know they really hard to make just layering with a softsynth, but I want the best hardware (within a reasonable price) to make these suckers.

I know you mentioned the rumored 4 voice prophet from DSI coming soon, which could be right up my alley if they have a rack version and depending on how exactly it's built. (do you have a guesstimate on an ETA for this synth?)

Here is a good question that I think may help me. Taking into account what I desire (pads, atmospherics) what synth would you choose if you only pick one and the Virus TI is not an answer because I'm not buying one. Can forget anything above $1500 as well like the Andromeda. I have seen some Nord Lead 3 rack mount versions floating around (they're rare) but I hear they are very difficult to program, and with me being new with hardware, it's probably best I go in a different direction.

Last question - How does a "half rack" sit on a rack? I have a hard time visually picturing those small modules being screwed into my rack.

Thanks for the tip on the Focusrite - I'm going to see what kind of deal I can get on the MOTU because I'd rather have the MOTU but I've got until next Friday (PAYDAY!!!!) to make that decision.

Right now I'm just trying to plot out what I want and need by gathering the most information I can to develop a plan to get all of this stuff in an efficient and needs based manner.

Again, thank you for your help. You could charge money (and probably a fair amount) for sharing all of your musical knowledge. I know a guy who I don't think knows as much as you and he runs an online music education deal and makes quite a bit of money. He charges $40 per session (one hour) and provides "home work" (optional of course, but mise well get your $ worth) along with review of your assignments. He offers "classes" on just about everything tailor made to your needs. All genres of music, All popular DAW's (even Melodyne), most of the popular synths, music theory as a whole, substractive and fm synthesis, a wealth of knowledge about effects as well as mastering. Don't ask me how he knows all this stuff. He looks younger than I do. I can fully vouch for him as well as he has helped me quite a bit via email without charging me a dime although I do want to set up a customized effects learning module because (and I could be wrong) effects are, along with attention to detail, the deal breakers separating the men from the boys. If you, or anybody else is interested on how his operation works, here is his website.
http://www.theonlineaudioschool.com/

Not that I read your whole post but If you're a preset junkie then I don't see how Matrix is going to help with shitloads of sounds from the 80s.

Arturia's Analog Factory is much better for you.

well I suppose I shouldn't say junkie.

I tweak but I don't sit down and say to myself I gotta get a patch bank done today for Sylenth1 or whatever.

I have quite a lot of experience with the 1010 - it was decent but you really have to rely on the expansion boards and some are great some are just too dated to be used. I know you;re looking for vintage sounds but some of them are just dated, not vintage and by that I mean a lot of them sound very 90's pop - some of the strings sound so fake that unless you;re really going for that super low budget horror flick score sound then they'll be useless for you. The sonic quality of the sounds aren;t great but maybe you're going for that so it could work well for you.

Again, make sure you get as many expansions as possible because they'll be some sounds you like and some you don;t but you'll need to change expansions to get the ones you like. Also, keep a log (notebook etc.) of the patches you like from each card - makes it way easier to keep track. The expansion really should not be difficult to find these days and I've seen them go for as little $5 each. Sometimes you even find bulk lots.

Half rack units fit on to rack trays - like a shelf that screws in to the rack. There were also half rack mounting kits for the 1010 but you're gonna have a tough time finding them. Just get a 2u rack tray/shelf.

TS/TRS are interchangeable in that they will work when the other is plugged in to it but bear in mind one is generally balanced (TRS) and
TS is not, so if you're trying to maintain a fully balanced signal path then it work work. Also, if you;re planning to do a long run (15m+) then you'd need to at least pseudo-balance the cables to give you a bit more protection from interference.

But at $80, Who cares? just buy the damn thing - you'll certainly get your moneys worth - hell I'd probably buy one for that.

As for the card, the focusrite is decent but for less than that money I've seen Motu 828's and 2408's come up quite a lot. Just make sure it's at least Mk2 for either of those units as the mk1's are not worth buying. Don;t worry about buying motu second hand either - they're very tough and if the unit looks like it;s been looked after (cosmetically) and you're not buying off you're local crack dealer, then you'll not have any problems with it.

The only thing I would add to DJ RANN's excellent advice/info is that, as far as Roland expansion boards go, I really like the Orchestra I and (esp.) the World Collection, if you happen to need those types of sounds. Actually, I just sold my World expansion on eBay - I actually held onto it for months since I sold my Fantom X8 thinking that I may use it again, and I may pick up another one in the future if/when I buy another compatible Roland synth.

quote:

Originally posted by DjStephenWiley Finally, going back to what I am aiming for.....I cannot stress enough how big I am on atmospherics, pads, and what I call non-concsious sounds... I know you mentioned the rumored 4 voice prophet from DSI... Here is a good question that I think may help me. Taking into account what I desire (pads, atmospherics) what synth would you choose if you only pick one and the Virus TI is not an answer because I'm not buying one. Can forget anything above $1500 as well like the Andromeda. I have seen some Nord Lead 3 rack mount versions floating around (they're rare) but I hear they are very difficult to program, and with me being new with hardware, it's probably best I go in a different direction.

That answer is easy: Nord Lead/Rack 3 (or possibly 2X, but I'd highly recommend the NL3). I'd recommend the NR3 over a Virus TI anyway for exactly the opposite reason that you stated - it's VERY easy to program/tweak from the front panel, much more so than a Virus. Almost everything has a dedicated knob or switch, it's easy to see your current settings with any patch. There's virtually no menu diving and it's a very versatile synth. And, it has 20 voices, so voice stealing isn't an issue when you create huge, atmospheric pads. The manual is very clearly written. It has modulation options galore, huge number of presets to start with (no to mention Alanzo's NL3 bank, which is excellent for trance), etc., etc. etc. I would NOT recommend a 4-voice DSI synth or even a Prophet 08 (8 voices) for pads because of the voice limitation. 4 voices is not enough for thick, rich pads and voice stealing was a major issue for me when I tried to create pads with my P08 (one of the reasons I sold it).

quote:

Originally posted by DjStephenWiley Again, thank you for your help. You could charge money (and probably a fair amount) for sharing all of your musical knowledge.

Naw - once I start thinking of my hobbies as being a "job", it takes the fun out of it.

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Sonar Platinum | Ableton Live 9 | Logic Pro X | Access Virus TI2 Keyboard | Kurzweil PC3X | Nord Lead 4R | NI Maschine